Cook vows to build strong relationships

WA Labor’s Roger Cook has been re-elected for a third term in the seat of Kwinana, after a thumping victory on Saturday night.

Mr Cook, who has served as deputy leader of the Opposition and as shadow health minister, easily saw off the challenge from five other candidates.

With 63.1 per cent of the vote counted on Monday morning, Mr Cook had polled 56.7 per cent of the primary vote, with the Liberal Party’s Bianca Talbot polling 22.8 per cent.

Mr Cook, who has held the seat since it was created for the 2008 State election, said he was humbled and proud to know the people of Kwinana had decided to select him for a third term.

“I’m absolutely grateful and indebted to the Kwinana electorate for their support,” Mr Cook said. “It’s a huge privilege and a great honour .”

Mr Cook indicated he would likely retain his role as deputy leader once WA Labor formed government but said it was too soon to say whether he would become health minister.

“The distribution of portfolios is the sole responsibility for the leader; I’m hopeful I’ll take on the health portfolio,” Mr Cook said.

“But obviously I’m just overjoyed we have a Labor government in WA and I’d be happy to serve in whatever capacity to try to start the hard work of creating jobs and getting the State’s finances back under control.”

Mr Cook acknowledged that the Kwinana electorate had drastic-ally changed since the previous State election, with the creation of the new seat of Baldivis affecting it. “There’s a big group of people in the electorate that still don’t know me very well, so I’m keen to make sure I build strong relationships with the community.”

One Nation’s Tim Taylor tallied 9 per cent of the primary vote while the Greens’ Jody Freeman had accounted for 7.9 per cent.

Eleanor Charmaine Morel (2.3 per cent) from the Australian Christians and the Micro Business Party’s Joshua Hyde (1.2 per cent) made up the rest of the vote.